The 37-year-old was benched against Liverpool and Southampton.

Manager Erik ten Hag instead opted to start Marcus Rashford in the centre forward position, flanked by Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho.

Speaking on his own Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand said: “Whether he stays or not, none of us know. But knowing Cristiano [Ronaldo], I know for a fact that he will be absolutely fuming right now.

“Forget who’s starting in front of him, [that] he’s not starting. You don’t get to do what he’s done in his career over this amazing amount of time at the levels he’s been playing by being someone who’s going to accept not starting and being a sub for a team that isn’t in the Champions League.”